Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It is important to acknowledge that education is a fundamental pathway to employment. Maybe other schools have applied for DEIS status. Maybe that could be looked at. Some schools have many Ukrainian or foreign students who have come into the country in the past year. The dynamic has changed and there are challenges. It is important that every child who comes into our education system gets the best possible support. I had the experience at third level, where I lectured, of seeing students come in with disabilities who have thrived in that scenario. They have got special supports, additional supports and all that goes with that. We have the structure and everything right, but we have to try to become best in class. I know the Minister and the Minister of State will work on that to make sure that we end up being best in class and that everybody is at a level where they can achieve more.

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